Translation guide
To become visibly angry, agitated, or lose composure in a situation. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for losing one's temper or calm.
Expressing that someone suddenly becomes angry or loses control of their emotions.
A very common casual verb meaning to snap, lose one's temper, or flip out. Often used for sudden anger.
Expressing that someone becomes visibly upset, panicked, or loses their calm demeanor.
Literally 'to lose calmness'. A standard, neutral way to say someone lost their cool or composure.
彼はその質問に冷静さを失った。
He lost his cool at that question.
Very casual or slangy ways to say someone lost control, often with a nuance of going wild or crazy.
キレる is casual and implies a sudden, often angry outburst. 冷静さを失う is more formal and can refer to any loss of composure, not necessarily anger.
彼はキレて机を叩いた。
He lost his cool and banged the desk.
彼は冷静さを失い、声が震えた。
He lost his cool and his voice trembled.
Do not translate 'cool' literally as 涼しい (suzushii) or クール (kuuru). These refer to temperature or a stylish attitude, not emotional control.
彼はちょっとしたことでキレた。
He lost his cool over a little thing.
Literally 'to explode with anger'. A more descriptive phrase for losing one's temper.
彼はついに怒りを爆発させた。
He finally lost his cool and exploded with anger.
An idiom meaning 'to get angry' or 'to be pissed off'. Often used when something gets on your nerves.
彼の態度には本当に頭にくる。
His attitude really makes me lose my cool.
To flare up or become hot-headed in an instant. Describes a quick, impulsive anger.
彼はすぐかっとなる性格だ。
He has a personality that loses his cool easily.
To panic, get flustered, or lose one's head. Often used when someone is in a hurry or surprised.
突然の来客に慌ててしまった。
I lost my cool when the unexpected guest arrived.
To be shaken, agitated, or disturbed emotionally. Often used when someone's calm is broken by shocking news.
彼女はその知らせに動揺していた。
She lost her cool upon hearing the news.
To lose one's composure and become visibly upset, often with crying or shouting. Stronger than just being flustered.
彼はその場で取り乱してしまった。
He completely lost his cool on the spot.
An intensified version of キレる, meaning to completely snap or blow a fuse. Very strong anger.
あの客、店員にブチ切れてたよ。
That customer totally lost his cool at the staff.
To fly into a rage, become frenzied. Often used in news or formal descriptions of someone losing control violently.
犯人は逆上して刃物を振り回した。
The suspect lost his cool and brandished a knife.